Step Inside Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre

Step Inside Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre

Inside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the Lyceum Theatre.

19 PHOTOS

Built by famed impresario Daniel Frohman, the theatre opened on November 2, 1903, as the New Lyceum to distinguish it from the old Lyceum, which he formerly owned on Fourth Avenue.
Marc J. Franklin

Built by famed impresario Daniel Frohman, the theatre opened on November 2, 1903, as the New Lyceum to distinguish it from the old Lyceum, which he formerly owned on Fourth Avenue.

Among Broadway’s smallest and oldest theatres, the Lyceum Theatre has found its place as a home for small-cast dramas, comedies, and musicals.
Marc J. Franklin

Among Broadway’s smallest and oldest theatres, the Lyceum Theatre has found its place as a home for small-cast dramas, comedies, and musicals.

Created by theatre architects Herts and Tallant, the theatre was designed lavishly, with a gray limestone façade with roman columns, marble staircases, and a wide auditorium without obstructed views.
Marc J. Franklin

Created by theatre architects Herts and Tallant, the theatre was designed lavishly, with a gray limestone façade with roman columns, marble staircases, and a wide auditorium without obstructed views.

Lyceum's auditorium
Marc J. Franklin

Lyceum's auditorium

The theatre opened with a production of The Proud Prince, starring the distinguished American actor E. H. Sothern.
Marc J. Franklin

The theatre opened with a production of The Proud Prince, starring the distinguished American actor E. H. Sothern.

Early in its operation, the theatre became known for producing star vehicles, with its stage seeing performances by Billie Burke, Ethel Barrymore, Henry Miller Jr., and more.
Marc J. Franklin

Early in its operation, the theatre became known for producing star vehicles, with its stage seeing performances by Billie Burke, Ethel Barrymore, Henry Miller Jr., and more.

Due to the Great Depression, the theatre was in danger of being demolished but a group of theatre titans, including George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, banded together to purchase the theatre in 1939. The Kaufman/Hart group owned and operated the theatre until it was sold to the Shubert Organization in 1945.
Marc J. Franklin

Due to the Great Depression, the theatre was in danger of being demolished but a group of theatre titans, including George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, banded together to purchase the theatre in 1939. The Kaufman/Hart group owned and operated the theatre until it was sold to the Shubert Organization in 1945.

Throughout its history, the Lyceum has been the home of a wide range of shows including revivals of classics such as The Cherry Orchard, dramas such as A Hatful of Rain, musicals such as [title of show], and more.
Marc J. Franklin

Throughout its history, the Lyceum has been the home of a wide range of shows including revivals of classics such as The Cherry Orchard, dramas such as A Hatful of Rain, musicals such as [title of show], and more.

In addition, the Lyceum stage has seen performances by iconic performers including Whoopi Goldberg, Matthew Broderick, and Olympia Dukakis.
Marc J. Franklin

In addition, the Lyceum stage has seen performances by iconic performers including Whoopi Goldberg, Matthew Broderick, and Olympia Dukakis.